Weather stalls Badrinath rescue

Bad weather today prevented the Army and the Air Force from rescuing nearly 5,000 pilgrims stranded in the Badrinath area, a day after 17 pe...

Bad weather today prevented the Army and the Air Force from rescuing nearly 5,000 pilgrims stranded in the Badrinath area, a day after 17 people were killed due to massive landslides triggered by a cloudburst.

‘‘We have asked the Air Force to carry out relief and rescue work but inclement weather is preventing choppers from carrying out the task,’’ Chief Secretary R.S. Tolia said.

According to Chamoli district officials, Army helicopters made three sorties to airlift 50 pilgrims from Badrinath to Joshimath. ITBP and police personnel were searching for the missing persons, who were believed to have been drowned in the Alakananda river.

Massive landslides had last evening hit the Vishnuprayag area, pushing a bus into the Alakananda river while damaging a truck and a Qualis, killing 17 people and injuring 28 others. Nearly five thousand pilgrims were still stranded. Tolia said the cloudburst took place at Lambagad close to Vishnuprayag, the site of a 300 MW Hydel Project being constructed by the state. However, the landslides did not cause any damage to the project, he said.

Canada, UK and Australia formally recognise a Palestinian state

World1 hr ago

The UK, Canada, and Australia have recognized Palestine as a state, going against the US and Israel's opposition. British PM Starmer aims to revive peace without Hamas and hostage release. Canada and Australia also recognize Palestine, condemning terrorism. Over 145 UN members recognize Palestine, with France likely to join soon.

View all shorts

Live Blog